CROSS CODE FIXTURE

[eccywarrior]

i have a feeling saracens could beat us in league. like jules said union players are athletes nowadays and could run us close or beat us

[BriH]

I was present at the first cross code game (Union Rules fixture). Bath played the game in the right spirit and made it very entertaining.
In the first scrum they pushed us back 2M just to prove a point, and thereafter just held the scrums. Once they had a reasonable lead, they stopped any excessive rucks and mauls and took us on ball in hand.
Second half was won by Wigan with a couple of excellent tries, one started from behind our own posts.

Dont think that this will be a walkover even if they decide to attack ball in hand. Union has moved on in a big way, and the players are now top class athletes.

To bring this in mid season is madness though.

I remember Shaun Edwards very unhappy when Uncle Mo told them to ease off a bit so as not to embarrass them!

[jobo]

i have a feeling saracens could beat us in league. like jules said union players are athletes nowadays and could run us close or beat us

They wouldn't get close to us at league. Union forwards are still about as mobile as a coal shed, even though the game has come on leaps and bounds, club rugby almost beyond recognition.

Can't understand people saying they wont be watching because the ticket price subsidised Joel's move. He would have gone anyway, unless Wigan were able to match or get near, the contract he was offered and who, deep down can blame him.

[Panchitta Marra]

I was present at the first cross code game (Union Rules fixture). Bath played the game in the right spirit and made it very entertaining.
In the first scrum they pushed us back 2M just to prove a point, and thereafter just held the scrums. Once they had a reasonable lead, they stopped any excessive rucks and mauls and took us on ball in hand.
Second half was won by Wigan with a couple of excellent tries, one started from behind our own posts.

Dont think that this will be a walkover even if they decide to attack ball in hand. Union has moved on in a big way, and the players are now top class athletes.

To bring this in mid season is madness though.

Wasnt the first game played under League rules.
From memory and when Wigan were 60 odd points up in the first half of that League rules game, Maurice Lindsey went into the changeroom at half time and told the Wigan boys to ease off, which they obviously did or the scoreline would have been 150+ and a total embarrassment to Bath RUFC.
It swings both ways.

[Jules]

I dont believe that Saracens would have a chance in League. While they are atheletes without a doubt, so is every player that pulls on a Wigan shirt.
Saracens would be slow defensively, not pushing up quickly enough. Slow playing the ball etc.
They have players who suit league ideally, their two centers in particular (no great surprise there).

It wouldnt be the walkover that the first cross code fixture was, the one that Jeremy Guscott wimped out of, but it would be decisive and by 30 pts at least.

[bikerharry]

I was present at the first cross code game (Union Rules fixture). Bath played the game in the right spirit and made it very entertaining.
In the first scrum they pushed us back 2M just to prove a point, and thereafter just held the scrums. Once they had a reasonable lead, they stopped any excessive rucks and mauls and took us on ball in hand.
Second half was won by Wigan with a couple of excellent tries, one started from behind our own posts.

Dont think that this will be a walkover even if they decide to attack ball in hand. Union has moved on in a big way, and the players are now top class athletes.

To bring this in mid season is madness though.

Wasnt the first game played under League rules.
From memory and when Wigan were 60 odd points up in the first half of that League rules game, Maurice Lindsey went into the changeroom at half time and told the Wigan boys to ease off, which they obviously did or the scoreline would have been 150+ and a total embarrassment to Bath RUFC.
It swings both ways.

Yeah, first game was League rules and was played at Maine Road. The biggest cheer of the night was when Bath Scored, it finished 82-6.